On the Water 2020

Friday 3rd July 2020 · 25

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WATER

0N THE

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Highcli e Sailing Club

H ighcliffe Sailing Club is look- ing to the future with a very positive vision. Ideally located on Mudeford Quay, the Club runs regular dinghy racing, all year long, both in Christchurch’s sheltered harbour and out in the wonderful playground of Christchurch Bay. The club also enjoys regular Social Sailing, Friday night Ladies That Launch sessions, Blokes in Boats training, Open Meetings and Family Fun Days offering something for everyone.

Over the last 2 years, the Club has welcomed a huge uptake in kayak and paddleboard mem- bership and has already built racking for over 50 kayaks, it is also home to “The Paddlers” water sports group. Highcliffe Sailing Club has also recently invested in a new generation of dinghies for hire available to all its members, enabling those who are not yet ready to buy their own boats to get out on the water. The Club has fully refurbished the ladies changing rooms, has undergone a bar and Clubhouse refit and is now ready to host social evenings and events on its unbeatable west facing, sunset terrace.

For all information, please contact Ian at office@highcliffesailing.co.uk

Lymington Town Sailing Club ‘Returns to the Water’

L ife and work goes on at the Jeremy Rogers boat yard in the Lymington Yacht Haven. Like every business we had to stop and take stock when Covid-19 struck and work out if and how we could operate safely within the guidelines. Fortunately, a combination of the incredible weather and the nature of our work which allows us to operate at a distance from each

other and often outside meant we were able to keep ticking over safely by furloughing some of our workforce whilst others continued working throughout. A combina- tion of our Atlas Davits, specialist composite work for the MOD and on-going boat refurbishments meant there was enough varied work to keep going safely. Our new build Contessa 32 has been stead- ily progressing ready for launch later this summer and anyone who has walked past the yard will have seen a line of vintage Contessas awaiting their refurbishments.

We’ve also been restoring a beautiful old classic wooden Plymouth Hooker (pictured). One thing which seems clear is that people have reconnected with the water this summer; partly it’s the weather but partly it’s the reimag- ining of possibilities and priorities that lockdown has allowed. A sail- ing boat allows you to dreamand to travel, it allows you to be self-con- tained and relatively self-sufficient whilst also crossing borders and exploring. It’s perhaps not surpris- ing that we have had more enquir- ies about Contessas in the last 3

months than we have in the last 3 years. It’s not been an easy time but it has certainly made us realise what a great team we have and what a loyal customer base we have too. Sometimes it takes a crisis to bring things into focus and whilst the last few months have clearly been a very difficult time with much more to come – it’s not all been bad. Thanks to all our staff, customers, suppliers, and our landlords at the Lymington Yacht Haven who have helped us through.

O ur original schedule of activities for 2020 included more sailing than ever before for both dinghy and yachting, with beginner courses, coach- ing, racing, cruising, fam- ily sailing, kids sailing, ladies sailing and much more. That original plan came to a dramatic halt in March and our focus shifted to introducing a whole range of online ac- tivities and how we, as a club, could help our com- munity. The online activities proved highly successful and ensured we maintained a connection and ac- tivities for all ages within the club. However, the enduring memory of this lockdown period will undoubt- ably be the way in which our mem- bers and partners rallied around to support our community with some amazing initiatives. This included the creation of plastic PPE, collection of sanitis- er bottles, volunteering for local council services and the creation of a sewing team that create face masks and full sets of scrubs for our local community nurses. We are very grateful to all the Sewing team, the organisation team, the generous donors allowing us to buy the fabric and Sanders Sails for the cutting. Lymington & Pennington Town Council were appreciative of the club involvement and comment- ed, “Lymington Town Sailing Club contacted the Town Council very early on in the Covid-19 situation, offering the kind assistance of its members to the Community Hub which was created in the crisis. Not only have they helped with shopping and collecting prescrip- tions for vulnerable people, which

are huge tasks, but hand-made face masks were also made, pro- viding reassurance to those wish- ing to venture out for essentials. A 3D printer was even in action to create plastic visors. The kindness shown by LTSC members in assist- ing the community at this strange time has been tremendous and the Town Council cannot stress enough how important this has been to those they have helped.” We are absolutely delighted that some sailing and other water activities have now resumed af- ter the lockdown and that we are also welcoming new members that • Team Building • Yacht Charters • Client Hospitality • Marine and Land Events • Events

have joined during this closed pe- riod. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and welcoming club that can accommodate all ages, abili- ties and sailing experience. Addi- tionally, we support a range of non sailing activities and a very active social scene which ranges from formal dinners, family and kids events to rugby on the big screen. If you would like any further information or would like to arrange a visit to the club to see what we do, contact our team on office@ltsc.co.uk or call 01590 674514 during office hours.

LYC Events • Lymington Yacht Haven, King’s Saltern Rd, Lymington, Hants SO41 3QD

Enjoy our FlEEt As IF It WErE your oWn...

Stunning Lymington Yachts Available For Charter We have a superb range of Jeanneau Yachts located on our dedicated pontoons in Lymington Yacht Haven. Our staff ensure all our vessels are well stocked for any boating event and are immaculately maintained. We want you to enjoy our boats as if they were your own.

A home from home on the seas! • Skippered Charters • Days

• Weekends

• Weddings

• Birthdays • Stag & Hen

01590 688007 Lymington Yacht Haven, King’s Saltern Rd, Lymington, Hants SO41 3QD